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Silk Pillows: Worth the Splurge for Your Skin?

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We’ve all heard the rumors: silk pillowcases—aside from protecting a fresh blowout and keeping bedhead at bay—are a secret weapon for great skin. Sleeping on the luxe fabric is said to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and provide more comfort. That in itself sounds worthy of a higher price tag, but is all the hype, in fact, true? Or is it all just a really fancy-sounding ploy? To get to the bottom of this, we asked board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman for her advice. Before you ditch your cotton pillowcase for a silk variety (and spend a pretty penny doing so), read this.

“The bottom line is any product that helps reduce the strain on the skin is beneficial,” says Engelman. But silk pillowcases won’t necessarily save skin that’s being squished with pressure due to a poor sleeping position. “I recommend that my patients sleep on their backs to avoid compression lines and use breathable cotton sheets that are washed regularly, so they don’t collect dust mites and bacteria.” She continues, “Whether you’re using silk or cotton pillowcases, if you’re sleeping on your face or have a dirty pillowcase, it will affect you the same way despite what it’s made of.”

Hear that, world? While a silk pillowcase may feel nicer on your face, it’s not the be-all and end-all for healthy skin while you snooze. Instead of focusing on the type of fabric you’re sleeping on top of, spend your time and energy making sure that it’s clean to avoid breakouts. And if possible, try to sleep on your back to avoid sleep wrinkles. If you’re worried that your beauty sleep may be wreaking havoc on your skin, take necessary precaution so you don’t fall victim to poor sleeping habits.

The moral of the story? Silk pillowcases aren’t a total game-changer when it comes to radiant post-sleep skin. Are they worth the splurge? That’s up to you to decide.